Costs to Import UK to US?

[She_s_Pure_Gold]

I realize this might fall under the category of “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it,” but I’ll put the question out there anyways. I am very (very) tentatively exploring the option of buying an Irish cob for my next horse (file this under “fluffy floofy hairy midlife crisis” lol) but have never imported a horse before, nor been in circles where this is routinely done- so I’m fairly ignorant of what is involved, start to finish - as well as the accompanying price tags (excluding actual sale price of horse).

In my (very) hypothetical scenario, I’d buy a cob from Ireland and ship to northeast US (Boston? JFK?). I know some people use agents to help find a horse in the first place- what does this process look like? What does it cost? Is it a flat % of horse price, or is it an hourly rate, or?? Aside from actual flight cost (I’ve seen that is roughly 10-12k?), what other expenses do I need to factor in?

Obviously if I choose to travel to go see horses in person, I would assume those costs and figure those out so I’m not looking for feedback on that- but any other logistics such as transport, quarantine, mandatory health testing/screenings, etc.

Can anyone walk me through the process, caveats, words of wisdom? My hunch is that this will exceed any future budget I will have, but I want to know for sure rather than just assuming.

[joiedevie99]

I’d assume $15k for total import costs of a gelding. Mares and stallions (over 3) coming from Europe need to go to extra CEM quarantine, which adds a few thousand more. They’ll need bloodwork and paperwork to fly, ground transport to the airport, flight, and the 3-day USDA quarantine here in the US, before ground transport from quarantine to your farm. Yes - if you’re in Boston you’ll fly into JFK and do quarantine either at the airport or near Stewart airport a bit further upstate.

[SimonSays]

There are a bunch of cobs in the US now! I have 2 that I absolutely love to pieces that I bought from a breeder in VT. And she’s sent several down to us over the years to start as well.

But importing can be anywhere from $10,000-30,000 and if they get stuck somewhere along the process with an issue it can go up exponentially from there.

[She_s_Pure_Gold]

Can I pm you? Would love to chat about the VT horses you’ve worked with.

[Jealoushe]

In Ireland most of those cobs are considered giveaways. Careful you aren’t being scammed. You can easily buy them for under 1000€ over there.

[She_s_Pure_Gold]

That’s definitely something I’m taking into consideration. They are SO plentiful in UK and yet here in US, even GV foals typically sell for close to or over 10k. If I’m going to spend over 10K for a cob, am I better off just going straight to the source (Ireland), likely having more to choose from in a smaller geographic area, and likely old enough to be under saddle already or soon for the same or similar cost that I would pay for a GV here in US?

Also, I might be wrong, but at least from what I’ve seen, in the US the GVs tend to be bred a lot for the amount of hair/feather, less on athleticism. I don’t necessarily want a super heavy, overly hairy horse, more so the more traditional cob that has hair but is also used for a variety of disciplines. But maybe someone can correct me and point me more towards other US breeders?

Regarding scammers, I would definitely be looking to buy from a reputable stud over there rather than an individual, and also probably hire a professional to help with the process (but that piece is one of the expenses I’m looking for info on- what does that piece cost to have help finding what you’re looking for, assisting with vetting, and coordinating transport?).

[Jealoushe]

Yes be careful the stud doesn’t see the American coming $$$$.

You can look at the ads in the paper/online FB groups etc and find good ones for a fraction of the cost. I lived in Ireland so I am pretty familiar with them and the market to the US. They were literally everywhere there.

I know a friend just imported from Ireland it was about $20k when all was said and done.

There are also breeders in Canada that might be an option.

[She_s_Pure_Gold]

I don’t know if I can afford to import- that’s what I’m trying to figure out!

I would love to move to UK, but don’t see it happening in my future.

[SimonSays]

Absolutely!

[SimonSays]

There are definitely cobs out there for less $$$ too- youngsters and I’ve bought 3 now between $1500-2000 that had bad habits, owners in over their heads, etc but were easily brought around. I’ve also paid high 4 figures for my best gelding as an 18 month old- totally worth it he’s the best horse I’ve ever owned.

But the good ones are expensive and they should be- if they’re well trained, solid minded, and can do all the things!

There are also scammy people overseas and in the US. And some excellent breeders too. I think that’s the same everywhere and for every breed unfortunately!

[alar24]

If it’s at all of interest – I love stalking the website of this ISH/RID/Irish Cob sales farm about 1.5 hours north of NYC (so close-ish to you?) They import from Ireland and have a few very cute cobs right now! https://irishhorsesusa.com/

[AskMyAccountant.17]

I imported a horse from ireland in November and detailed the exact costs here:

Ireland in 5 days, well 4 and change.

If you don’t want to read about Ireland, here were my costs

So if the horses fly out of Belgium, they are hauled and take a ferry to Belgium. So Cooper Transport did all of this. The prices, are listed out as invoices I received. So I paid Cooper, Dutta, the vet .

If you are going to Ireland, I 100% believe you need a rep with you. I got an amazing deal and found my horse of a lifetime. I’m a social media girly, and heard many reports of some not so great experiences from “followers” who did not use reps. Plus, it just made the process , I mean you can read the blog, but the horses were all scheduled for me to see, it was just seamless.

[MunchingonHay]

I know a really nice GV for sale in FL. Currently doing training dressage and schooling 1 level. PM me for deets.

[GoneAway]

I moved to the UK about 18 months ago, and I’ve learned there is a wide variety of “cob.” Both in temperament and athleticism. Do you want a traditional type/hairy cob/happy hacker or something taller and a little more athletic like a show cob type? I’ve seen some excellent, nice-minded and kind examples, but plenty of terrorists too. Buying from the US I’d be VERY nervous about some seller (private or stud) selling you some borderline feral example. Lots more people over here that ride and manage their horse on their own, which can make for some rough around the edges types. The people that do it well have lovely horses and are excellent horsemen.

I agree with others that say to work with a trusted agent or representative to work on your behalf. Good cobs that are all-arounder types can go for upwards of £15K, the greener or poorer quality types far less than that. I think the horse market might finally be coming back down to earth over here, but if you see one that is just too good to be true…it probably is.

Cobs definitely aren’t my type and I don’t see the appeal, but I’ve known some over here who are very forgiving, super smart, fun, kind, and are the absolute light of their owners’ lives. That I certainly appreciate.

…or terrorists. Haven’t meet many in between yet. And to be fair, those really were the result of inexperienced or ignorant owners.

Best of luck with your search and i hope you find the cob of your dreams! FWIW I am budgeting about $15K to bring my boy back home with me whenever it’s time to move back to the States.

[She_s_Pure_Gold]

Thanks, this is super helpful info! Yes, definitely aware of the wide variety, given that cobs are a type and not a breed. In my perfect world, I’d be looking for something in the 15-15.2 range that could dabble in a little of everything and just be an all around fun family horse. Does not need to do upper level or advanced anything, just going out to local schooling events, hunter paces, bareback hacking on trails, fun around my farm, and be sane without needing to be “in a program” 6 days a week.

Sounds like the cost of what I’m looking for plus import may be out of reach if I can’t find a decent cob for under 5k£. Would not need to be finished, I’d even be open to a youngster (2-3yo) unstarted if could be had at a low price.

I appreciate all of the input! This dream is still, at a minimum, a year away, so lots of time to do homework, weigh options, etc. Wanting chapagne on a beer budget, maybe I’ll just keep my eyes peeled for a lighter draftx when the time comes

[She_s_Pure_Gold]

Yes, this!! Most GVs already under saddle seem to go for 25k+ in the US Hence why I am considering importing being more economical (and closer to what I want- a bit less hair and a bit more athleticism than the US bred ones)

[GoneAway]

If you haven’t yet, register on the Horse and Hound forums and ask around about reputable breeders/agents/etc in Ireland and the UK. They’re a super friendly and responsive group and should help get you started. I think up to £5K would be a healthy budget for a youngster from a reputable source. They’ll be able to talk to options in UK vs Ireland as well, and those processes differ.

Since moving here, I’ve joked about buying an inexpensive cob, importing it to the US with my guy, labeling it a Gypsy Vanner and covering my horse’s import expenses with the profit.

On the domestic side, one of the coolest horses I ever sat on was a 3/4 TB, 1/4 Clyde cross. So much fun. Perhaps something like a draft/QH cross could be a good match for you.

[GoneAway]

That’s the joke alpine…Americans imported cart horses from Ireland and the UK, invented a majikal new label for them, and made bank.

[fourfillies]

I recently imported a mare from Germany using Dutta. My costs were nearly identical.

For a mare add 14 or days in CEM quarantine with testing for an additional $3-4K.

[GoneAway]

And wouldn’t it be funny if OP was secretly talking about NI and had it right all along…

In all honesty I read the thread title and skimmed the post, that’s why I responded the way I did with UK info. I think the point is taken, and the differences between the two countries were mentioned before. Being over here, it’s still very common for UK folks to shop in Ireland or vice versa. They go where the right horse is. While Brexit has certainly complicated things, it’s not like these two places are so totally different when it comes to the mechanics of horse shopping/importing. I trust the OP would do the required homework if they are serious about this, and would get into the specifics of Ireland/EU vs UK when the time came. It’s not a showstopper in the early dream phase. Plenty of cobs in either location.